Interior Design Icon Bobby Berk Shares a Simple Hack for Professional-Looking Flower Arrangements.
As a renowned interior design expert, Bobby Berk has proven his expertise in transforming spaces into stunning works of art. Known for his role on Netflix’s Queer Eye, Berk has guided us through the essentials of creating cohesive color schemes and strategically placed furniture. However, his talents extend beyond these basics, diving into the finer details of home décor—such as flower arranging.
A fresh bouquet can instantly uplift any room, whether it’s placed on an entryway console or as a centerpiece on a dining table. The vibrant colors and natural fragrance of fresh flowers can breathe life into a space. However, if the flowers are poorly arranged—with drooping stems or uneven placement—the desired effect is lost. Bobby Berk is well aware of this common decorating pitfall.
Thankfully, Berk recently shared a simple trick to achieve perfectly spaced, professional-looking flower arrangements in just minutes. This method requires only a basic household item: tape.
Choosing the right flowers is essential, but there’s more to creating a beautiful bouquet than simply placing stems in a vase. “Neatly arranging flowers is crucial in creating a visually appealing bouquet,” says florist Kate Hill. “The placement and alignment of each stem can significantly impact the overall look, and a well-arranged bouquet can also prolong the life of the flowers.”
You don’t need to be a professional florist to arrange a stunning bouquet. As Berk demonstrated in an Instagram reel, all it takes is a few pieces of tape. In the video, he shows how to apply strips of tape in a grid pattern over the opening of a vase. This grid creates small squares, which help you evenly space your stems and give the arrangement a fuller look.
This hack is especially useful for flowers with droopy stems or heavy heads, like anemones or peonies. “This is a quick hack for arranging flowers so that they don’t flop over,” notes professional florist Leigh Chappell. “It’s extremely useful if you’re not a florist and have some tape handy.”
However, this trick isn’t always the best option for larger, more complex arrangements. “Taping a vase can work, but it may not be suitable for all types of arrangements,” says Kate Hill. “For bigger displays with lots of flowers and foliage, I often use floral foam or chicken wire to secure the stems.”
Leigh Chappell also recommends using chicken wire, which allows for more flowers in one vase while still providing structure. “Scrunched chicken wire can be taped into a bowl or low vase using floral tape,” she explains. “The stems are then pushed into the wire to create a composition you love. For a more sustainable option, you can use flexible twigs instead of wire.”
For those who want even more control over their bouquet’s composition, tools like flower frogs or flower pins can be helpful. These tools hold stems in place, much like tape, but offer more stability for complex arrangements.
Leigh also emphasizes the importance of trimming stems at an angle and using fresh water when arranging flowers. “Start with the largest, most dominant blooms first, then fill in the gaps with smaller stems for a balanced and cohesive look,” adds Kate Hill. “These small details can truly make a difference.”
If you’re serious about flower arranging, paying attention to these details can significantly enhance the final result. Investing in tools like a flower frog may be worthwhile if you frequently bring seasonal blooms into your home. However, for a quick, easy, and inexpensive solution, Bobby Berk’s tape hack is a great way to add structure and stability to your bouquets.